The Damage From Atlanta: 2019 Show Haul

April 9, 2019

My recap from the Atlanta Pen Show is going to be a doozy, so I figured I’d break it out into a couple different posts. The first one is simple: a picture of my “show haul,” since I went a little crazy this year. (Hey, I’m not attending another show until D.C. in August, right?) Pictured here, clockwise from left: Penvelope 6 from Franklin-Christoph, Wax Seal Stamp from Papier Plume, Iroshizuku 100th Anniversary Hoteison (green black) and Bishmonten (a pinkish red) from Vanness, Lamy Crystal Topaz from Vanness, a Leonardo Momento Zero in Matte Black from Dan Smith (the Nibsmith), three pens from Shawn Newton (two Orvilles and a Prospector), and two hand-sewn pen cases from PK Custom Goods! More details to come via a full recap later this week.

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates.

Ink Review: Taccia Ebi (Purple Red) and Uguisu (Olive Green)

April 3, 2019

Taccia is a Taiwanese brand that has grown significantly over the past couple of years, releasing some very nice pens at both a moderate and luxury price point, and just this past year releasing an entire range of inks. Today’s review will take a look at two of the inks: Ebi (described as a “purple red”) and Uguisu (described as an “olive green”). I chose these particular colors because, as you all know, I’m partial to deep reds/burgundies and darker greens. Neither Taccia ink disappoints.

I’d consider Taccia “Ebi” to be a solid burgundy/maroon option, if you prefer your burgundies with a lot of purple. Comparable colors would include Montblanc Burgundy Red (the closest match in my collection) and Sailor Oku-Yama (more pink/red and less purple). Colorverse Dark Energy has a lot more black to it.

“Uguisu” is an ink that’s going to get a lot of use. I’ve had a hard time finding a true “olive green” that isn’t too yellow and/or pale. By far the closest match in my collection is Sailor Jentle Epinard, since both inks have a slight red sheen to them, but the Uguisu is a shade lighter with enough yellow to make it a pure olive. Other comparable colors include Sailor Waka Uguisu (much lighter) and Monteverde Olivine (much darker, with nib crud issues).

Writing sample on Clairefontaine French Ruled A5 notebook. The tester pen for the Ebi was a KACO Retro, and a Parker 51 for the Uguisu.

Because Japanese pen company Sailor has made nibs for Taccia in the past, it begs the question: Are these Sailor inks? No. While these inks are made in Japan, I understand they’re manufactured by another company (Nabayashi), though the range of colors Taccia chose definitely bears some similarity to the Sailor Jentle/Pilot Iroshizuku lineup. The Taccia inks also behave somewhat differently. Both Ebi and Uguisu were slightly wetter than most Sailor inks I have used, though they still worked well on most types of paper, with the exception of the super-cheap recycled copy paper that is always loaded into one of my office printers. (Side Note: does anyone else have a situation at work where one printer has the “good paper” and other has the “terrible paper”? Apparently I have a reputation for backing up the “good printer” with print jobs because I refuse to use the bad one.)

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Burgundy reds and olive greens are always two of my favorite colors, and I found both Taccia inks to be well-behaved. I’ve heard good reports about the brand in general. With Sailor upping their prices per ml by cutting bottle sizes in half, Taccia presents an attractive alternative by selling quality ink that behaves similarly at a lower price point. Vanness Pens currently stocks the entire line, and has 12 of the 13 inks in stock at $12 per 40ml bottle. I also expect that Lisa will be bringing Taccia inks to this weekend’s upcoming Atlanta Pen Show.

Many thanks to Vanness Pens for providing me with these two bottles of Taccia Ink (in exchange for helping to work the table at the Baltimore Pen Show).

I love the box art on the Taccia inks. Ebi on the left, Uguisu on the right.

Pen Review: Montegrappa Monte-Grappa

March 30, 2019

It’s coming up on a year since I received the Montegrappa Monte-Grappa, so after much use, a review is long overdue. This particular pen was released last year around the time of the Atlanta Pen Show, which was the first time I was able to handle one, and upon seeing the “Coral” pen I knew that this was a pen I would eventually add to my collection. I’m a sucker for vintage-inspired pen design, and was a pretty easy mark for Cary at the Kenro table.

The vintage-style stamping on the barrel is what does it for me with this pen.

Coral, which I would describe as a pinkish-reddish-orange, seems like an odd color to add to the lineup of a modern pen brand, but it has a long history with fountain pens. Many vintage pens, such as the Parker Duofold “Big Red” from the 1920s and, more recently, the Waterman Man 100 Patrician, came in a similar shade. The Monte-Grappa comes in three other standard colors, black, blue, and lavender, but the coral version is by far my favorite.

Montegrappa’s “1912” medallion denotes the history of the brand and the fact that it’s one of the older Italian pen companies (and possibly the oldest - I need to brush up on my history).

The first thing you’ll notice about this pen is that everything screams “vintage,” from the color, to the size and shape, to the barrel imprint. The Monte-Grappa is also one of Montegrappa’s more understated designs (along with the Fortuna series), and I hope it sticks around. A few of my favorite aspects of this pen:

Barrel Imprint. The “Monte Grappa” imprint on the barrel looks as though it were lifted directly off a pen from the 1930s. Other than the cap band, this engraving is the only adornment on the pen and it adds charm.
Comfortable Shape and Ergonomics. I have always found Montegrappa pens to be very comfortable in the hand. The Monte-Grappa is no exception, with an inverted hourglass shape that tapers towards the nib and the piston knob and allows most of the pen’s weight to sit between your thumb and index finger (assuming you hold the pen in a traditional manner). Balance is important here, because the piston filling system adds heft to the pen. Most people will find the Monte-Grappa most comfortable to use unposted, though I post the pen regularly and don’t have any issues.
Montegrappa’s “Ratchet” Piston. A key selling point on this pen was Montegrappa’s decision to incorporate its patented piston-filling mechanism that you typically see only on MUCH more expensive pens (though the Monte-Grappa certainly isn’t inexpensive, as discussed below). Montegrappa makes one of my favorite pistons, because it uses a ratchet mechanism that clicks as you turn it. Once the clicking sound stops, you know not to turn further, preventing damage to the pen.
JoWo Nibs! Last but not least, the Monte-Grappa was the first major release to use JoWo nibs, which I find to be a huge upgrade over the previous Montegrappa (Bock?) nibs that tended to cause problems with dryness and skipping in some Fortunas. The new nibs are much more reliable, and I experienced no ink starvation issues. These nibs are still custom-engraved with Montegrappa’s signature “filigree” pattern.

Montegrappa’s new JoWo nibs are of exceptional quality and still come engraved with the signature filigree pattern. I opted for a 14k nib here, which writes a true medium line with superb ink flow.

The Monte-Grappa features stainless steel trim, including a metal cap band that has a hammered metal look to it (even though it’s not technically hammered steel).

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I love the look of the Monte-Grappa, and it’s also an excellent functional writing instrument with the potential to be a mainstream “flagship” for the brand. But, as you might expect from Montegrappa, I have concerns that the price point will prevent this pen from getting traction with a broader audience. The MSRP on the Monte-grappa with a steel nib is $395, with pens typically retailing somewhere between $275-315. That’s expensive for an acrylic pen equipped with a JoWo nib, even once you account for the piston-filler. If you want to add a 14k nib, you will pay an additional $250 or so, which is even more expensive. That said, Montegrappa is known for targeting a luxury price point and a well-heeled clientele, and apparently has had much success with their brand strategy, so I don’t expect to see much price movement unless the pen ends up being discontinued.

You can easily find the Monte-Grappa with a steel nib at most retailers who carry Montegrappa. Vanness has the Coral version with a stainless steel JoWo nib currently priced at $275.00. They also have the Blue pen (actually more of a navy and my second favorite), as well as the Lavender version, in stock. The 14kt nib is a bit more difficult to find, but you can order them through Pen Chalet.

Montegrappa has also made a few special/store edition versions of the Monte-Grappa. The first is a limited edition version “La Canzone del Grappa” with a transparent barrel, which comes in two colors, October Green and Black (both of which are more of a flecked tortoise pattern, not solid colors). Another special edition is available from Dromgoole’s in Houston, which is a stunning olive green/tortoise combination.

The Montegrappa Monte-Grappa (center) compared against some other Italian “flagship” pens. From left, the Leonardo Momento Zero in “Pietra Marina” Sea Stone, an Aurora Optima in Emerald, the Aurora 88 Unica Nera, and a Montegrappa Extra 1930 in Turt… — The Montegrappa Monte-Grappa (center) compared against some other Italian “flagship” pens. From left, the Leonardo Momento Zero in “Pietra Marina” Sea Stone, an Aurora Optima in Emerald, the Aurora 88 Unica Nera, and a Montegrappa Extra 1930 in Turtle Brown.

Disclaimer: I received this pen from Kenro Industries for review purposes, and since I enjoyed it, they kindly agreed to let me keep it.

Kickstarter Alert: 22Pen by Mario Shimodaira

March 29, 2019

I wanted to do a special short post this Friday to let everyone know that there’s just a little more than 24 hours left in the Kickstarter for the 22pen, a unique pocket pen that readers should be sure to check out. The pen holds two D1 refills in a flat format, allowing you to easily switch between two colors without clicking, and also allowing you to easily clip the pen inside a notebook. I have a review unit (in a prototype material) that I just now received, so I don’t have a full review ready to go, but my initial impressions are very favorable and I’m really looking forward to seeing how I can work the 22pen into my daily workflow, especially with pocket notebooks! I backed for the blue version. You can check out the full details of the 22pen here on the Kickstarter page. Many thanks to Mario for sending this pen over for review.

The 22pen may look a bit awkward, but it’s surprisingly easy to use.

The reverse of the 22pen features a clip to attach the pen to the inside of a notebook.

Disclaimer: I received the pen featured in this post free of charge, for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this review and I’ve backed this project with my own money.

First Impressions: Pineider Arco Collection Limited Edition with 14k "Quill" Nib

March 27, 2019

Few materials have captivated the pen community in the same way as Arco celluloid, especially in pens made by the Italian pen manufacturers, and Omas in particular. After Omas folded, legacy company Armando Simoni Club/ASC Pens purchased the remaining Omas celluloid rod stock, and has released a series of pens in both the green and brown Arco celluloid under its own name and in partnership with Leonardo. (I own a Leonardo pen in green Arco Verde celluloid, and it’s gorgeous.)

But the rumor is that once ASC Pens’ current stock of Arco celluloid is gone, it’s gone. Celluloid is extremely time consuming and difficult to make, requiring a large (and expensive) investment of time and materials up front, followed by a years-long period of waiting for the celluloid to cure. As it turns out, however, companies don’t want the Arco “look” to go away (especially given the price Arco celluloid is commanding on the secondary market). This year, Pineider announced and released a limited edition “Arco Collection” pen in which Pineider attempted to duplicate the look of Arco celluloid using a layered acrylic.

Here you can see the striations in the acrylic. Lovers of vintage Arco celluloid will say it's not the same - and it’s not - but the material is beautiful in its own right. The cap features a twist magnetic closure, with a metal piston knob that all… — Here you can see the striations in the acrylic. Lovers of vintage Arco celluloid will say it's not the same - and it’s not - but the material is beautiful in its own right. The cap features a twist magnetic closure, with a metal piston knob that allows you to post the pen using the magnet in the cap.

Pineider pens present a mixed bag for me. Functionally, the company makes a high-quality product. I previously reviewed the Pineider Avatar, which I enjoyed reviewing but the pen didn’t do it for me in terms of aesthetics, mainly because I found it a bit boring. Last year, Pineider released a new series of pens that I liked better, the La Grand Bellezza “Gemstone” collection, which featured new materials and came equipped with a new 14k “hyperflex” nib that Pineider dubbed the “Quill.” The new Arco Collection pens generally take the shape of the Grand Bellezza models, adding a piston filler and limited edition numbering.

There are 888 Arco collection pens, with each one numbered on the piston knob.

What everyone wants to know, of course, is how the new “Arco” acrylic compares to Arco celluloid. Short answer: it’s beautiful in its own right but not the same. Classic celluloid has a depth to it that’s practically impossible to duplicate, which is why it remains such a coveted material among pen collectors despite its many downsides. (i.e., it stains, it’s fragile, it’s flammable, and it’s expensive… I could go on, but you get the point.) Pineider’s Arco acrylic definitely captures some of the look of classic Arco, but is much darker and doesn’t quite get all of the gold and copper highlights found in the celluloid. There definitely will be a trade-off for the durability and lower price point of an acrylic pen.

The broad “Quill” nib on this Arco pen is more than a little stubbish.

For me, the Quill nib is what makes this pen (and the other Gemstone/Grand Bellezza pens) really shine. Pineider describes the nib as “hyperflex,” but as is often the case with so-called “flex” pens, there’s more than a bit of hyperbole involved. I’d describe the Quill nib as “true semi-flex,” in that you will get some significant line variation, especially in the narrower nib widths (EF-F). The stubbish broad nib I tested had a nice bounce to it, and really put a lot of ink on the page. To me, the Pineider nib is certainly “flexier” than Aurora’s flex nib, but you still shouldn’t expect a vintage-style flex pen.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Pineider has my attention more than than they did when they first appeared on the scene. After spending two weeks with the Arco pen, I could see myself picking up one of the Grand Bellezza “Gemstone” pens just to have a Quill nib in my collection, probably opting either for a broad or an extra fine. The standard “Gemstone” pens have an MSRP of just under $500, with an actual retail price that typically sits just under $400. Vanness, however, is currently running a 40% off promotion in which the cost of the Pineider La Bellezza fountain pen with the Quill nib is just $298. That’s a very good price on an excellent pen, especially for a semi-flex nib of this quality.

As a limited edition with a piston filler, the Arco collection pens are more expensive, with MSRP at around $700 and retail price between $500-600. They’re also selling quickly, so you’re probably going to have to hunt around to find one. Vanness Pens is currently sold out, and they may or may not get more, depending on availability.

Many thanks to my sponsors at Vanness Pens for loaning me this Arco Collection pen to review. It made for an enjoyable two weeks between the Baltimore and Arkansas pen shows!

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates. Vanness Pens loaned me pen featured in this review at no charge.